Golf Nut, I am having a problem with too much body movement in my golf swing on my driver. I have way to much sway in my swing. It’s really bad in my downswing and follow through. I almost feel that I am losing my balance and falling forward. Any thoughts?

I get this question more often than you would expect. I think that it stems from a lot of golf instruction that teaches about clearing your hips and starting the downswing with the lower body. These terms and this approach are technically correct, the golf swing should involve these movements, but more often for an advanced golfer. find that a lot of amateur golfers have trouble with this.

Here is a simple little drill that will allow you to start your downswing with your lower body but not overdo it and not have to clutter your mind with all these technical golf temrs.. I can’t even remember where I heard this but it has worked for a number of golfers that I have shown it to.

Try these two things as key swing thoughts. First, start your downswing with your belt buckle. I know that it sounds strange but let me explain. Think of moving your belt buckle just about an inch to the left (if you are right handed) to start your downswing. It’s almost like a little bump with the hip from the old dance “the bump”. Just give a little bump with your hip so that belt buckle moves to the left about an inch.

Secondly, after that bump concentrate on keeping your lower body still for the rest of the golf swing. This may be a little different than most golf instructors would tell you. But I have found that amateur golfers who have a problem with too much sway will still move their lower bodies a little but this greatly reduces it.

These two thoughts together can help you start the downswing with your lower body, but get rid of that big movement that you have. If you improve but still struggle with this a bit, you can also try one more thing. Put a wooden stake in the ground and stand beside it with it almost touching your left leg on the outside. Then practice your swing with the above swing thoughts. The stake will really help you focus on keeping your lower body still during your downswing and follow through.